VANKAYALAPATI CHIRANJEEVI

‘Koil Alwar Tirumanjanam’ was performed at Lord Venkateswara temple on Tuesday, as a preparatory ritual, ahead of Ugadi.

Koil Alwar means holy shrine’.

The main purpose of performing Koilalwar Tirumanjanam is purification of the sanctum sanctorum and the temple premises.

During the ceremony all the idols and other articles are removed from the sanctum sanctorum and the mula virat (main deity) is covered with water-proof covering.

The entire garbhagriham, including floors, ceilings and walls are then cleaned and brushed well with plenty of water.

The whole place is then smeared with kumkum, camphor, sandal paste, saffron, turmeric etc. to ward of insects. The covering of the main deity is then removed and the deities, deepam and other articles are replaced inside.

Purificatory pujas and Naivedyams are offered to the deity.

This ceremony performed strictly as per the Agamas is conducted four times a year i,e before Ugadi, Anivara Asthanam, Vaikunta Ekadasi and before the annual Brahmotsavams.